With an Instagram handle like @nixonipedia, there’s no doubt that Karl Dix is one of the most incredible Nixon collectors we’ve ever known.
We caught up with Karl to talk about where Karl hails from, what got him hooked on Nixon watches, and what rad new things are to come from his channel.
And of course, to share a bunch of pictures from his epic collection of Nixon watches, old and new.
Keep reading to learn more about the man behind Nixonipedia, Karl Dix.
Interview with Karl Dix About His Nixon Watch Collection and More
Tell us about yourself including age, name, where you live and what you like to do for fun.
Hey there. My name is Karl and I'm 52 years young. I live in a small town on the edge of the Cotswolds here in the UK. I have a wife and 2 children (although my wife would say it's her and 3 kids) and our enormous dog Arthur. I'm a designer by trade so Nixon watches always shone for me because of their uniqueness of design and problem solving that they did for their target audience, especially in their first models.
For fun, I hang out with family and friends, play online games, do DIY (it's an old house so there's always something to do or fix) go to live shows/gigs, collect a few watches and travel as much as we can.
When did you first get a Nixon? Do you remember what it was and why you got it?
My first Nixon was The Dork. It was such an unusual watch and to have Tony Hawk's voice on there was really unique. It totally stood out for me and it wasn't till a good few years later that I found out about the easter eggs and that blew my mind.
That's the thing about Nixon design and the brand, it's the little things that people don't know about and then find out about that sets them apart from any other brand.
What watches do you have in your collection?
The question should be "What watches DON'T I have in my collection?". Over the years I have collected over 300 Nixon watches and a lot of display items including cabinets, accessories and apparel (wallets, belts, keyrings etc.). Which is where the idea of the Nixonipedia came from. If I had so much history and information in my collection then why not use that to share with fans of the brand and collectors worldwide.
But my favourite models would have to be the Player, the Rocker (Powerslave) and Outsider. My grail pieces are the Dave Grohl Sentry and Stormtrooper Diplomatic. Both expensive pieces and virtually unobtainable! But always have my positive hat on and just think 'One day'.
What's your all-time favorite Nixon watch and is it in your collection?
All-time favourite? Ooooh that's tough… Personally, in my collection it's one of three watches and all for different reasons.
My Black Trader: This was a 40th birthday present from my wife, family and friends, they all clubbed together and got me it. At £750 that was the most money I had ever had spent on a watch that I now owned.
Chester Bennington Dictator: Linkin Park is one of my favourite bands next to the Foos. So to finally own a watch that has such a connection with one of the most iconic rock/metal singers of all time is truly an honour.
My Custom Gold/Black Dictator: This is because not only did I make it a custom, but the movement was from my second Nixon watch that has my son's voice when he was three years old saying "I love you Daddy". He's now nearly 20 and to have that recording on there is priceless. The batteries NEVER run out in that watch. :)
If you were going to ask me what I would like to own:
- The Diamond Skull Rotolog: has always amazed me, just so cool and the Rotolog surprisingly wears really well for a 36mm.
- The Stormtrooper Diplomatic: has so many great details and I am a massive fan of Star Wars.
- The Ken Block Players: are just amazing (I've mentioned to Chad about doing a limited run of players for us normal folk to own one in that style).
What OG models would you like Nixon to bring back?
I think the one they missed a trick on was The Frontier, this watch never made it into production, but was one of the most unique watches I own. I always get compliments on it when I wear it out. However I'm always also going to go for the Player, especially the Automatic and ceramic models. But would love to see a ceramic Rotolog!
Have you ever gifted someone else a Nixon watch? Was it new or one from your collection?
I have gifted and been gifted watches and other pieces of Nixon collectables in my time as a collector. This is why I love the community and the brand. Everyone is super enthusiastic and just nice, they are always happy to help each other out and help pass on parts and pieces to help others complete old watches or even fill gaps in their collections.
What inspired you to start Nixonipedia and when did it launch?
I think it's always a 'need' that inspires people to do/build unique things, and I think that's what happened with the Nixonipedia. I saw a need (in my own mind) to catalogue and collect these watches that some people just haven't seen. It was also a way of helping out fellow fans and collectors to get to know about the watches they own, and some they don't. And maybe find out something unique about them.
The website launched back in 2022 with the Instagram channel launching soon after that.
Most recently I have launched the YouTube channel which will now be the home to video reviews, interviews, stories and everything Nixon, built by the collectors for the collectors. The first review is for the new OCO 44 so check it out!
Has running Nixonipedia changed the way you collect or think about the brand?
It has made me know and love the brand more and also opened up so many doors for me. I now know Chad who is alongside Andy, one of the founders. I was then introduced to Jo who is the VP of Product and because of those interactions I have fed into some of the models that you now see out there in production. This interaction and involvement has made me very happy and love working with them and the community to design and help deliver some great watches for everyone.
What's the ultimate goal for Nixonipedia, is it a passion project, or do you see it growing into something bigger?
I have always thought/hoped that it would turn into that community led project that self fulfilled and people would be able to contribute to, whether that be about the watches, their experiences/stories, their collections. But for the moment we are ticking along just building the fan base up and collecting the information so that we can update (hopefully later on this year) the website with more and more.
What has the response from the Nixon community been like since you started the channel?
It has been everything and more, the Facebook and Instagram community have all been great! The Instagram channel has grown to nearly 3,000 followers over the last year which is mind blowing for just lil old me. But I'm blown away more by the support from Nixon themselves. I never thought that I would have the chance to get to know both Chad and Jo, who have been supportive and go above and beyond to help and give me knowledge about Nixon and the models I ask about.
I also want to give a special mention to my friends over in Nixon Europe Customer Service, especially Tina, who helps me find parts that I need for my collection so that I can fix, document and wear older models instead of losing them forever.
I hope that the next year becomes a turning point for this project and we start getting these channels out there to really help drive the community and the brand to a wider reach.
